ELIL vs SPY
Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. ELIL delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ELIL | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $20M | $821.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 11.26% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 9 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +4.26% | +14.24% | |
| 1Y Return | +143.65% | +21.71% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.10% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.21% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 74.1% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -55.8% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Alternative | Equity | |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
ELIL vs SPY Performance
Direxion Daily LLY Bull 2X ETF (ELIL) is a ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ELIL returned +143.65% while SPY returned +21.71%. Year to date, ELIL is up 4.26% versus a gain of 14.24% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ELIL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 74.1% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -55.8% for ELIL and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.05. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ELIL charges 1.07% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $9 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ELIL currently yields 11.26% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
ELIL and SPY share 1 holdings out of 508 unique holdings combined, representing a 1.3% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ELIL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLY | 15.38% | 1.33% | 14.05% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ELIL or SPY?
ELIL has an expense ratio of 1.07% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $98 per year of difference.
Which performed better, ELIL or SPY?
Over the past year ELIL returned +143.65% vs +21.71% for SPY, so ELIL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ELIL annualized +30.23% vs +8.86% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, ELIL or SPY?
ELIL has been the more volatile fund at 74.1% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ELIL -55.8% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both ELIL and SPY?
ELIL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between ELIL and SPY?
ELIL and SPY share 1 common holdings with a 1.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 508 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, ELIL or SPY?
ELIL yields 11.26% while SPY yields 1.01%, so ELIL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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